KS Hunting Regulations E 21_081921 PRODUCTION.qxp_Hunting Regs 8/19/21 5:30 PM Page 58
PUBLIC PROGRAMS WALK-IN ACCESS PROGRAMS Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) provides opportunities for landowners and hunters alike. Landowners who participate in the program benefit financially through short-term or long-term, seasonal leasing of a properties' hunting rights to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). In turn, this program provides more than one million acres of hunting opportunities annually to hunters. WIHA areas operate much like any public wildlife area, except the properties remain in private ownership and use is restricted to hunting only. Established hunting seasons and regulations apply on all WIHA areas. Trapping is not a part of the WIHA program. Participating landowners receive payments that vary, based on access period, location, habitat quality/diversity, and size of enrolled properties. A variety of lease period options are available to meet each landowner's management goals. No public access is allowed outside of those dates. KDWP posts WIHA signs and regulations on the property, and patrols the area. Almost anyone who owns or leases land with good wildlife habitat can qualify, including resident landowners, absentee landowners, tenant farmers, estate managers, trust managers, and others who manage private land. Hunters using WIHA areas may not cross boundaries onto neighboring properties. Interior property boundaries will be marked. Parking is limited; roads, gates and driveways must not be blocked. Farm equipment, houses, and other sensitive infrastructure will also be marked with Safety Zone signs reminding hunters to avoid these areas. If valid safety concerns exist, hunting opportunities can be limited. An annual Kansas Hunting Atlas is available from KDWP offices, license vendors, and online at ksoutdoors.com. Maps are continuously updated on KSOutdoors.com/Hunting/Where-to-Hunt.
WIHA Application
Landowners: Contracts are simple and you can cancel at any time. Rates vary based on access period, location, habitat quality/diversity, and size of enrolled properties. Fall lease payments are made around December 1. Spring-only leases are paid around May 1.
I am interested in enrolling my property in the WIHA program. Send me more information. Name: _________________________________ Address: _______________________________ City: __________________________________
Day Phone: _____________________________
iWIHA
iWIHA links the limited-use concept of KDWP’s “Special Hunts” program with iSportsman, an interactive web-based service. This option helps landowners limit the number of hunters on their property on any given day, while still receiving competitive rates for participating. Hunters are required to check-in and out of each tract. More information can be found at KSOutdoors.com/Hunting/Hunting-Programs/iWIHA-Limited-AccessHunts
Evening Phone: _________________________ Property is located in: ____________________ Send to: Attn: Wes Sowards KDWP 512 SE 25th Ave. Pratt, KS 67124
(County)
For additional information on the WIHA program, visit KSOutdoors.com/private-lands or email wes.sowards@ks.gov.
Landowners: Similar to WIHA, the WIFA program leases ponds and streams for fishing access. Earn extra dollars from your farm or ranch land by enrolling your fishing waters in this program.
Highlights of the program: • KDWP pays you to allow fishing access on your land. • KDWP posts signs to inform anglers of property boundaries. • KDWP game wardens patrol the land. • Access is by walk-in only – no vehicles are allowed. • State law limits normal liability. • A printed and online atlas shows all properties enrolled. • Visit KSOutdoors.com/private-lands for more information. 58
WIFA Application I am interested in enrolling my property in the WIFA program. Send me more information. Name: _________________________________ Address: _______________________________ City: __________________________________
Day Phone: _____________________________ Evening Phone: _________________________ Property is located in: ____________________ Send to: Attn: Jeff Conley KDWP 512 SE 25th Ave. Pratt, KS 67124
(County)
For additional information on the WIFA program, visit KSOutdoors.com/private-lands or email jeff.conley@ks.gov.
